Police officers to be interdicted whenever suspect dies in custody: IG Kanja directs

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has directed the interdiction of police officers on duty whenever a suspect dies in police custody.

Responding to concerns over increasing cases of inmates dying while in police custody, Kanja said the officer handling the Occurrence Book (O.B.), the cell sentry and the duty officer will be held accountable as investigations into such cases continue.

The police boss, who expressed frustration over the failure by police commanders to curb cases of misconduct, warned that commanders will face disciplinary action if they fail to take action against officers under their command.

A day after the family of Gideon Makau raised concerns over his mysterious death, hours after his arrest and booking at Kilungu Police Station, Kanja moved to curb what he described as regrettable occurrences tarnishing the image of the National Police Service (NPS).

Kanja, who met with regional police commanders, directed that officers who were on duty when a suspect dies in custody be interdicted, pending investigations.

“Any death occurring in police cells, the O.B. recorder, the cell sentry and the duty officer, those officers must be interdicted immediately pending investigations of what happened. That is something that you, as commanders, must ensure happens,” Kanja stated.

Makau died two days after another suspect, Eric Otieno, who was booked at Muthaiga Police Station on August 1, died 24 hours after he was allegedly assaulted in police custody.

With three police officers implicated in the murder of Dr Victoria Mutiso, who was gunned down on July 29, Kanja warned police commanders of tough action if officers under their command engage in criminal activities or threaten the security of citizens.

“Let every commander, every line manager get to account for the officers at all times. You must account for the equipment that is held by your officers for the discharge of their duties,” Kanja stated.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, warned commanders that they would be held responsible for rising crime in their areas of jurisdiction.

“Crime going up in your areas of responsibility, you, as the commander, will be the first to be questioned. For us, this is a warning against careless command,” Masengeli stated.

With the goons crisis raising concerns over security ahead of the 2027 General Election, Kanja said commanders who fail to tame criminal gangs in their areas will face disciplinary action, including demotion.

“I need to be getting returns of all the goons who have been arrested in your respective areas. This is something that we must stop. It is the responsibility of NPS. Don't allow goonism,” Kanja stated.

Kanja was speaking when he met police regional commanders at the National Police Leadership Academy to sensitise them on the newly formed Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit.

The unit, which will be headed by a commandant, will comprise more than 2,500 officers drawn from the National Police Service and the Nairobi County Inspectorate. It is expected to strengthen security operations in the city.